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Obama’s D.C. ambulance has broken fuel gauge, runs out of gas


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http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/aug/12/presidents-dc-ambulance-has-broken-fuel-gauge-runs/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS

 

A D.C. fire department ambulance customarily accompanies a presidential motorcade as it departs from the White House. But when a motorcade left Thursday, the ambulance remained behind on the South Lawn.

 

It had run out of gas.

 

In the latest blow to the reputation of the city’s beleaguered ambulance fleet, fire officials confirmed that the first-due medical responder to the White House had to be taken out of service while on a run to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

 

“The unit apparently did run out of gas, but a replacement unit was put in its place,” D.C. fire department spokesman Tim Wilson said Monday.

Mr. Wilson said he could not confirm that the ambulance was on motorcade duty, but sources close to the incident who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly said the unit was in the motorcade line when the engine gave out at about 5 p.m.

 

The sources said the operator of Medic 1 indicated that the fuel gauge was broken and the driver was uncertain how much gas was in the vehicle. They also said the operator previously documented the problem.

 

Mr. Wilson said an internal investigation is underway to determine whether the vehicle was properly fueled.

 

“To my knowledge, prior to this incident there was no report of any problem with the fuel gauge,” he said. “If there was, no operator prior to this had reported that.”

 

A Secret Service spokesman declined to comment on the incident, deferring to the D.C. fire department.

 

D.C. Firefighters Association President Ed Smith confirmed the report and said it was also his understanding that the ambulance operator blamed a faulty fuel gauge. He said the incident, coming on the heels of a series of high-profile problems with the city’s ambulances, are making the department a “national embarrassment.”

 

“This just highlights a fleet that’s been broken down and in disrepair,” he said.


 

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D.C. Firefighters Association President Ed Smith confirmed the report and said it was also his understanding that the ambulance operator blamed a faulty fuel gauge. He said the incident, coming on the heels of a series of high-profile problems with the city’s ambulances, are making the department a “national embarrassment.”

 

“This just highlights a fleet that’s been broken down and in disrepair,” he said.

 

 

PR stunt for funding?

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